Apparatus for generating radiant heat and delivering hot gaseous products



Aug. 1, 1961 R. M. SHERMAN 2,994,520

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING RADIANT HEAT AND DELIVERING HOT GASEOUS PRODUCTS Filed Oct. 14, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR RAL STON MHERMA/V B) a? M W W Arr'rs.

Aug. 1, 1961 R. M. SHERMAN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING RADIANT HEAT AND DELIVERING HOT GASEOUS PRODUCTS 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 14, 1954 PALLSTON M. SHERMAN By /z4j,&4/1/ M R. M. SHERMAN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING RADIANT HEAT, AND

Aug. 1, 1961 DELIVERING HOT GASEOUS PRODUCTS 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 14, 1954 INVENTVOR RALLSTON M SHERMAN 5) [55% W. My W Arr' sv R. M. SHERMAN APRARATus FOR GENERATING RADIANT HEAT AND Aug. 1, 1961 2,994,520

' DELIVERING HOT GASEOUS PRODUCTS Filed Oct. 14, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ISM (7M HALLS TON M. SHERMAN OOOOOOOOO O 000 0000000 00000000000000 con 1 00000000000 00 00 00000 00000000 00000000 00000000 000 000- Yi- 00000 (3 0900 000C fiy iaay M1 A r'rs.

Aug. 1, 1961 R. M. SHERMAN 2,994,520

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING RADIANT HEAT AND DELIVERING HOT GASEOUS PRODUCTS Filed Oct. 14, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR a PALLSTON M SHERMAN B Aug. 1, 1961 R. M. SHERMAN 2,994,520

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING RADIANT HEAT AND DELIVERING HOT GASEOUS PRODUCTS Filed Oct. 14, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVE/V TOR R LLSTO/V M SHERMAN 87 M217 l 174W; I/LA4M rr'ys.

R. M. SHERMAN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING RADIANT HEAT AND 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Oct. 14, 1954 INVENTOR RALLSTON M SHERMAN BMW. 5M \l W Arrrs.

Aug. 1, 1961 R. M. SHERMAN 2,994,520

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING RADIANT HEAT AND DELIVERING HOT GASEOUS PRODUCTS Filed Oct. 14, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOI? RALLSTON M SHERMAN United States Patent C Filed Oct. 14, 1954, Ser. No. 462,184 21 Claims. (Cl. 263- 19) My invention relates to fluid fuel burning apparatus, and particularly but not exclusively to one for heating by radiant heat and for supplying a blast or the like of hot gaseous medium.

The invention has among its objects a portable combined space heater and projector of a blast of hot mixture of combustion products and atmospheric air, of compact construction, with provision for directing the projection of radiant heat therefrom. These and other objects of the invention, however, will be best understood from the following description when read in the light of the accompanying drawings, while the scope of the invention will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a portable combined oil burning generator of radiant heat and hot gaseous medium, corresponding to FIG. 4 as viewed from the left, with some of the details of the oil piping and electric Wiring shown in other figures omitted;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the apparatus according to FIG. 1, as viewed from the left;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the apparatus according to FIG. 1, as viewed from the right;

FIG. 4 is a section on the line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded view of a fragment of the apparatus according to a section on the line .5-5 of FIG. 4, with parts omitted;

FIG. 6 shows a detail;

FIG. 7 is a section on the line 77 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a section on the line 99 of FIG. 7, with parts omitted and parts broken away;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are sections on the lines 10-10 and 11-11, respectively, of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a section on the line 1212 of FIG. v2, with parts omitted and parts broken away;

FIG. 13 is a section on the line 13-13 of FIG. 12, with parts omitted;

FIG. 14 shows a detail;

FIG. 15 is a plan of the parts shown by FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a schematic wiring and piping diagram of the apparatus; and

FIGS. 17 and 18 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the reflector.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus illustrated comprises a chassis having at opposite sides thereof the elongated horizontal angle-irons 1 (see FIGS. 9, l and ll) and at each of opposite ends thereof the horizontal angle-irons 3. These angle-irons are arranged to form a rectangular frame the outer sides of which are defined by the vertical webs of these angle-irons. At

their ends the angle-irons are comple-mentarily beveled,

as indicated at 7, and are welded together. 'At each corner of this frame are upwardly extending angle-iron posts 9 the lower ends of which rest upon the upper edges of the vertical webs 5 of the angle-irons 1 and 3 and are welded thereto. At the upper ends of these posts is carried a rectangular frame comprising the longitudinally extending side angle-irons 11 (FIGS. 4, 7 and 8) parallel to the side angle-irons l at the lower ends of the posts, and comprising the end angle-irons 1'3 2,994,520 Patented Aug. 1, 1961 parallel to the end angle-irons 3 at the lower ends of the posts. The ends of the angle-irons 11 and 13 are complementarily beveled, as indicated at 15 (FIG. 8), and are welded together. As illustrated, the downwardly extending webs 17 of the angle-irons 11 and 13 at their lower edges rest upon the tops of the angle-iron posts 9 and are welded thereto.

In the above way is formed a frame defining the twelve corner edges of a rectangular right prism. The left hand end of this frame, as viewed in FIGS. 7 and 8, is closed by a vertical plate 19, and its right hand end by a vertical plate 21, each resting against and secured at its edges to the adjacent sides of the angle-irons 3, 9 and 13. The top of the frame is closed by a plate 23 (FIGS. 4 and 7) secured to the adjacent upper sides of the angle-irons 11 and 13. As shown, upon the plate 23 rests a layer 25 of heat refractory heat insulating material. Above this layer and resting thereon is the top cover 27 of the apparatus. This cover has the downwardly extending peripheral marginal flange 29 which extends slightly downward over the frame and is removably secured to the angle-irons 11 and 13 by screws 31. These screws may be of the self tapping kind screwed into aligned holes drilled through the flange 29, end plates 19 and 21, and vertical webs 17 of the angle-irons 11 and 13, so as removably to hold such parts in assembled relation. The lower side of the frame, as clearly shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 9 and 10, is closed by a rectangular flat fuel oil tank 33 the top wall 35 of which rests against the under sides of the angle-irons 1 and right hand angleiron 3, as viewed in FIGS. 9 and 10, and is welded thereto.

As illustrated, each longitudinally extending lateral side of the above described frame is closed by a sheet 37, of expanded metal screen, the sides of which at their edges rest against the outer sides of the upper and lower longitudinally extending angle-irons 1 and 11 and corner posts 9. At their upper edges these sheets 37 are covered by the downwardly extending marginal flange 29 of the cover 27. At their lower edges they are covered by trim strips 39 removably secured to the adjacent longitudinally extending angle-irons 1 by self tapping screws 41 tapped into said strips and angle-irons. At their vertical edges the sheets 37 are covered by trim strips 43, of angle-shaped cross-section, secured to the adjacent angle-iron corner posts 9 by further self tapping screws 31 tapped into said posts and adjacent end plates 19 and 21.

As best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, extending across one end wall '47 of the oil tank 33 is a reinforcing angle-iron 49 the vertical web 51 of which preferably throughout the length of said wall is welded thereto. This angle-iron at opposite ends projects slightly beyond the corresponding vertical sides of the oil tank, as indicated in FIG. 9. These projecting ends carry blocks 53 welded to the vertical webs 51 of the angle-iron. Cooperating with each block is a clamping plate 55 removably secured to the block by tap bolts 57. Extending through complementary recesses 59 and 61.formed in the block 53 and plate 55, respectively, is an axle 63 shown as of rectangular cross-section. In this way the bolts 57 provide for removably fixedly securing the axle to the adjacent opposite ends of the angle-iron 49. The axle 63 at each end is shown as integrally formed with a collar 65 which rests against the outer end of the adjacent block 53. The end portions of the axle beyond the collars may be tapered, as shown at 67, for receiving the antifriction bearings of wheels 69, the extreme end portions 71 of the axle, as illustrated, being of reduced diameter and screw-threaded for receiving the nuts (not shown) for holding these bearings in position.

At its end opposite the wheels 69 the apparatus is provided at each of opposite sides thereof with a handle- 73 for wheeling the apparatus about, wheelbarrow fashion, on the wheels 69. Each of these handles at one of its ends has a downwardly extending portion 75 (FIG. 1) the lower end of which is adapted to rest upon the floor for holding the apparatus horizontal when it is placed in its desired position. The handles also have the horizontally extending portions 77 (:FIGS. 9 and whichextend through aligned openings 79 (FIG. 3) in the adjacent trim strips 43, end plate 21, and angleiron 3, into the interior of the apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, where they lie against the vertical and horizontal webs of the angle-irons 1, to which webs they are welded. At its opposite end the apparatus is provided with a bumper 81 which at opposite ends is provided with a horizontally extending portion 83 (FIG. 9) that, like the horizontally extending portions 77 of the handles 73, enters the interior of the apparatus and is welded to the angle-irons 1 in the same way.

'Interiorly the apparatus is shown as provided with a sheet metal, preferably stainless steel, combustion chamber '84 having the longitudinally extending cylindrical perforated lateral walls 85 (FIG. 7) and the end walls 87 and 89, these end walls being closed, except that the Wall 89 is provided with a centrally located opening 91 for slidably receiving the discharge end of an air blast tube 93 leading from an oil burner unit. Interiorly of the air blast tube at its discharge end is positioned an oil spray nozzle 95 carried at the end of an oil pipe 97 which leads from the nozzle rearwardly through the blast tube and is supplied with oil under pressure by the oil burner unit. The air blast tube and nozzle are operative to discharge into the combustion chamber a mixture of atomized fuel oil and air, which mixture is ignited by the spark electrodes 99, positioned interiorly of the blast tube, to form a flame within the combustion chamber.

The combustion chamber shown and its operation may be in accordance with applicants co-pending application Serial Number 439,653, filed June 28, 1954, now Patent No. 2,869,626, or may be in accordance with applicants Patent 2,669,297, dated February 16, 1954. As described in said application and patent, the air contained in the combustible mixture entered into the combustion chamber constitutes substantially the only air admitted thereto, and the multitude of small perforations of the combustion chamber constitute substantially the only 'means for discharging gaseous combustion products from .said chamber. As further pointed out in said application spacing of the perforations with relation to the cubic contents of the combustion chamber, and by properly coordinating the rate at which fuel is supplied the combustion chamber with the cubic contents of that chamber, complete combustion will be secured within the chamber and its walls heated to incandescence, without the products of combustion discharging through the perforations containing poisonous carbon monoxide, and such products being completely smokeless and odorless. In the present apparatus the incandescent walls of the combustion chamber, which may be at 1000 to 1500 F., form a large area for radiating heat, while the absence of poisonous carbon monoxide in the combustion products enables the apparatus to be safely used in enclosed spaces without danger to the occupants of such spaces.

As illustrated (see FIGS. 4 and 7), between the oil tank 33 and the under side of the combustion chamber 84, and extending substantially the length and width of the oil tank, is positioned a plate 101 having the raised central longitudinally extending fiat portion 103, and at each of opposite sides of said portion the longitudinally extending flat downwardly inclined portions 105, At

their outer edges these portions 105 are shown as provided with longitudinally extending downturned flanges 107 which lie against the inner sides of the vertical webs of the angle-irons 1 to which they may be secured by tapping into them the self tapping screws 41 that also secure the trim strips 39 to said angle-irons.

Between the end plate 21 and end wall 89 of the combustionchamber is positioned a vertically extending plate 109 (FIGS. 7 and 8) having the central longitudinally extending fiat portion 1'11 formed with an opening 113, through which opening the air blast tube 93 passes. At each of opposite sides of this central portion the plate 109 is formed with the flat longitudinally extending portions which incline away from the combustion chamber as they extend toward the vertical edges of said plate. At their outer edges the portions 115 are formed with longitudinally extending flanges 117 which rest against the inner sides of the angle-irons posts 9 to which they may be secured by the self tapping screws 31. Between the opposite end wall 87 of the combustion chamber and the vertical end plate 19 is positioned a second vertically extending plate 119, of the same transverse cross-section as the plate 109 just described, having edge flanges secured to the adjacent angle-iron posts 9 by the adjacent screws 31. As shown, the plates 109 and 119 terminate at upper horizontal edges 120 just above the level of the top of the combustion chamber. At its opposite ends the plate 101 is cut away across its entire width to form openings 121, the plates 109 and 119 at their lower ends resting against the plate 101 at the edges of these openings and there being welded to'that plate. In this way is formed an approximately U-shaped conduit with open ends, this conduit extending across the plates 109 and 119 and upper wall of the oil tank for substantially their entire widths, and interposed between the combustion chamber and those portions of said plates and oil tank which face said chamber.

As illustrated (see FIG. 7), the end plate 19 of the apparatus is formed with an opening 123 which communicates with both the space above the upper edge of the plate 119 and the conduit formed by that plate and plate 19. About the edges of this opening is welded one end of a short open ended tubular sleeve 125 projecting outward from the plate 19. Within this sleeve is positioned a fan 127 fixedly mounted on a horizontal driving shaft 129. At its end adjacent the fan this shaft is rotatably supported by a bearing 131 carried by arms 133 secured at their outer ends to the sleeve. The shaft 129 extends from the fan through the apparatus and above the combustion chamber, and at its end opposite the fan projects through an opening 135 in the end plate 21 of the apparatus to the outer side of said plate where it is supported by a bearing 137 carried by said plate. At the outer side of said bearing the shaft fixedly carries a belt pulley 139 for driving the shaft.

For preventing overheating of the shaft 129 by radiant heat from the combustion chamber there is shown positioned between it and the cylindrical wall 85 of said chamber a U-shaped trough-like member 141 (FIGS. 4 and 7) which receives said shaft. At opposite ends this member is shown as carried by brackets 143 welded to the upper edge portions of the plates 109 and 119.

As shown, the combustion chamber is supported at each of opposite ends by a pair of brackets 145 (FIGS. 4 and 7) riveted to the upper sides of the inclined portions 105 of the plate 101. The upper edges of these brackets are of arcuate shape, as indicated at 147 (FIG. 4), the combustion chamber being securely held on such edges by straps 149 welded at their upper end portions to the cylindrical wall 85 of that chamber, and at their lower ends being removably secured to the brackets by bolts 151.

As shown, the end plate 21 of the apparatus at its lower portion is formed with a row of openings 153 (FIGS. 2 and 7) in communication at the lower end of the con duit formed by it and the plate 109. When the fan 127 E. u is rotated it acts to draw air horizontally to the left, as viewed in FIG. 7, through the conduit beneath the plate 101 and vertically upward through the communicating conduit at the left of the plate 109, and to discharge such air to the exterior atmosphere through the sleeve 125. At the same time it acts to draw air from said openings vertically upward through the conduit to the right of the plate 109. The air so drawn through these conduits acts to protect the plates 19 and 21, and, most importantly, the oil tank, from the intense heat being radiated from the combustion chamber, in this way to keep cool the oil tank and the hereinafter described belts for driving the fan shaft 129 and the fan and oil pump of the oil burner unit, which belts are mounted adjacent the plate 21.

The air discharged from the upper end of the conduit formed by the plates 21 and 199 flows to the left through the apparatus, as viewed in FIG. 7, and is discharged therefrom through the sleeve 125, and so flowing mixes with products of combustion discharged from the perforations of the combustion chamber, as does likewise atmospheric air drawn by the fan through the meshes of the expanded metal screens at opposite sides of the apparatus. The air discharged from the upper end of the conduit formed by the plates 19 and 119 and drawn into the sleeve 125 is mixed with these other streams so that a large volume of hot gaseous medium is projected at considerable velocity from the sleeve. in practice it has been found that the temperature of this hot gaseous medium as it leaves the sleeve will be from about 200 to 400 F. depending upon the rate at which oil is burned in the combustion chamber.

The plates 101, 109 and 119, as hereinafter more fully described, reflect away from them the heat radiated on them from the incandescent combustion chamber Walls. Because of such reflection, and the relatively cool air flowing in contact with their sides remote from the combustion chamber, they are kept relatively cool, having a. temperature from about 160 to 250 F. depending upon the rate at which oil is burned in the combustion chamber. These plates are preferably made of sheet stainless steel or aluminum. Their surfaces exposed to the radiant heat from the combustion chamber are highly polished so that they will effectively act to reflect such heat.

As illustrated, at a level above the combustion chamber are positioned a pair of reflectors 155 (FIGS. 4 to 8), also preferably made of sheet stainless steel or aluminum, and having their outermost sides, as viewed in FIG. 4, highly polished. As shown, these reflectors are of somewhat greater length than the combustion chamber, and at their upper edges are formed with the narrow offset portions 157 for stiflening them. As illustrated, they are independently mounted for swinging about horizontal axes to position them at different selected inclinations to the horizontal. For so mounting them each has secured to it adjacent each of its opposite ends a fiat bar 159. Each of these bars is positioned transversely of the reflector and has an end portion 161 projecting beyond the lower edge of the reflector, that portion adjacent its lower end having welded thereto a horizontally disposed pin 163, best shown in FIG. 6. These pins project from one lateral edge of the bars carrying them, and are received in notches 165 (FIGS. 4, l4 and formed in the upper edges of the projecting end portions of flat horizontal bars 157 welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the flat central portions 111 of the vertical plates 109 and 119 at the upper edge portions of those plates. As shown, each of the reflectors at each end has welded thereto adjacent its outer longitudinally extending edge a pin 16?, best shown in FIG. 5. Each of these pins projects endwise from the end of the reflector, and at its free end is formed with a head 171 provided with a longitudinally extending screw-threaded bore 173 opening on the free end of said head. In the assembled device these free ends of the heads bear against washers 175 slidably resting against the inner sides of the oppo- 5 site end plates 19 and 21. Said end plates are formed with arcuate slots 177 through which project the shanks 179 of thumb screws 181, these shanks being screwthreaded into the bores 173 of the heads 171, washers 183 slidably resting on the outer sides of the end plates being interposed between said plates and the heads of the thumb screws. When the thumb screws are loosened the reflectors 155 may be swung about their pivotal supports afforded by the pins 163 into diflferent angular positions of adjustment and be held in such positions by tightening the thumb screws.

The action of the several reflectors hereinbefore described is diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. Referring to FIG. 17, the cylindrical incandescent walls of the combustion chamber radiate heat radially thereof. The portions of these walls adjacent the midway point of the height of the combustion chamber of course radiate heat generally horizontally and laterally of the apparatus, as indicated by the arrows 185. T0- ward the bottom of the combustion chamber the heat radiated by the cylindrical combustion chamber walls strikes the reflectors afforded by the inclined portions of the plates 101, as indicated by the arrows 187, and is reflected, as indicated by the arrows 189, laterally of the apparatus through the meshes of the screens at the longitudinally extending sides thereof. When the upper reflectors 155 are adjusted into their inclined position shown at the left hand side of FIG. 17 the heat radiated from the cylindrical walls of the combustion chamber striking them will be reflected upwardly at an inclination laterally of the apparatus, as indicated by the arrow 191. When the reflector 155 is adjusted into its position shown at the right hand side of FIG. 17 such heat will be reflected approximately horizontally, as indicated by the arrows 193. Referring to FIG. 18, the heat radiated from the incandescent end walls 87 and 89 of the combustion chamber striking the reflectors afforded by the inclined portions of the plates 109 and 119 will be deflected substantially horizontally and laterally of the apparatus, as indicated by the arrows 195. The flat central portion 103 of the plate 101, and the flat central portions of the plates 109 and 119, cannot be omitted and the inclined portions of said plates extended to meet at the centers of said plates except at a sacrifice of the compactness of the apparatus both longitudinally and vertically thereof, as otherwise their central portions would be too close to the walls of the combustion chamber for their durability, However, the heat radiated from the combustion chamber against the reflectors afforded by the flat central portions of the plates will be reflected back against the central portion of the under side of the lateral wall of the combustion chamber and the central portions of the end walls 87 and 89 thereof. This will act to raise the temperatures of said portions of the combustion chamber walls and cause heat to be conducted to the adjacent portions of such walls, from which latter portions it will radiate against the reflectors afforded by the inclined portions of the plates and be reflected by them laterally of the apparatus.

It will be observed that by reason of the reflectors heat is radiated throughout the length of the apparatus in a generally horizontal direction. The heat radiated from the combustion chamber, being reflected by different portions of the reflectors in slightly diflerent directions, acts to diffuse the heat and make its temperature approximately uniform throughout vertical planes at the sides of the apparatus parallel to its longitudinal axis. By adjustment of the reflectors the height of the stream of radiant heat at any given one of these vertical planes may be varied. Such radiant heat is useful, not only for heating objects in the space in which the apparatus is positioned, but for heating for example walls such as freshly installed concrete or plaster walls for drying them. By adjustment of the reflectors 155 the radiant heat may be caused to strike the higher portions of such walls and the ceiling of the space inwhich the ful application of the apparatus is for defrosting empty refrigerator cars, in which case the apparatus may be placed in the car with the side doors of the car open and the stream of hot gaseous medium projected from the sleeve directed against the ice bunker at one end of the car for melting residual ice contained therein.

Such medium after it strikes the ice bunker will be deflected back toward the opposite end of the car over its floor, side walls and roof for defrosting and warming them augmented by the heat radiated laterally of the apparatus.

' The oil burner unit shown is that disclosed in applicants'co-pending application Serial Number 440,112, filed June 29, 1954, now Patent No. 2,897,885, and therefore will not be described with any more particularity than necessary to show how it coacts with the parts hereinbefore described. Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, 7, l2 and 13, the oil burner unit comprises a vertical panel 197 (FIGS. 2, 12 and 13) having a rearwardly projecting circumferential marginal flange 199, the free edge of which flange rests against the outer side of the adjacent end plate 21 of the apparatus so as to form a space between said panel and plate. Secured to the end plate 21, as by welding, is shown an elongated angle-bracket 201 (FIGS. 2 and 7) on the upper web 203 of which the lower length of the marginal flange of the panel 197 rests and is removably secured thereto by tap bolts 205 threaded into said flange. On the outer side of the panel 197 are mounted in spaced relation to each other an electric motor 207, an oil pump 209, an ignition transformer 211, and a casing 213 for a'fan 215.

As shown, the air blast tube 93 is provided with a flange 217 (FIG. 7) which is secured to the panel 197 with the bore of said tube in registry with an opening 219 (FIG. 2) in the panel. The fan casing 213 is provided with a lateral extension 221 for conducting air from it to the opening 219 so that the fan may supply theblast tube with combustion air. Interiorly of this casing is positioned an adjustable fan wiper or shutter 223 (FIG. 2) forregulating the amount of air supplied by the fan to the blast tube. Air is supplied the intake of the fan from the space behind the panel 197 through an opening 225 (FIG. 12) formed in the panel, the flange 199 of the panel being cut away adjacent the end plate 21 to form openings 227 for admitting air to such space. The fan draws air through the opening 225 in the panel so that when the fan is in operation there is at all times a strong flow of air through said space.

As best shown in FIG. 12, the fan 215 of the oil burner unit is supported on the end of a shaft 229 rotatably mounted in a bearing 231, which bearing is supported by arms 233 carried by the panel 197 and extending radially across the fan intake opening 225 therein.

Behind the panel the shaft 229 fixedly carries the belt pulleys 235 and 237 (FIGS. 12 and 13). The oil pump 209 carried by the panel has a rotary driving shaft 239 (FIGS. 12 and 13) which extends through an opening 241 in the panel to its rearward side where it fixedly carries the belt pulley 243. The motor 207 has a shaft 245 which extends through'an opening 247 in the panel to the rearward side of the latter where it fixedly carries a belt pulley 249. The belt pulley 139 on the shaft 129 for driving the fan 127 hereinbefore described is also located in the space behind the panel. As best shown in FIG. 13, a belt 251 passes about the motor pulley 249, and fan pulleys 139 and 235, for causing the motor when energized to drive both the fan 215 and the fan 127. A

.second belt 253 passes about the oil pump pulley 243 .and the pulley 237 on the fan shaft 229 so that the oil ,pu'mpalsowill be operated when the'motor is energized. 1

These belts are kept cool'by the atmospheric air flowing through the space behind the panel 197 to the air inlet of the fan 215.

The oil tank 33 is shown as provided at one end thereof with an extension 255 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 9). For filling the tank with oil this extension is provided at its top wall with an opening 257 with which communicates a vertical filling pipe 259 carried by said extension. Screw-threaded on the upper end of this pipe for removable attachment thereto is a filling cap 261 provided with a perforation 262 (FIG. 7) for maintaining the space above the oil in said tank at atmospheric pressure. 7

As best shown in FIG. 3, the oil tank extension 255 is provided with a well 263 adapted to receive, under low oil conditions, a float 265. To this float is pivotally attached one end of a lever 267 pivotally mounted at 269 on the lower end of an immovable bar 271 projecting into the oil tank from its upper wall. The end of the lever remote from the float is shown as projecting through an elongated slot 272 formed in the lower end portion of a vertically reciprocable rod 273. When the level of the oil falls sufliciently the lever moves into contact with the upper end of the slot and raises the rod. Under high oil level conditions the float is free to rise and fall without moving the rod because of the vertical lost motion connection between the lever and rod afforded by the slot 272. This rod projects slid'ably through aligned openings in the top of the oil tank and bottom wall 274 of a casing 275 fixedly carried by the end plate 19 of the apparatus. Interiorly of the casing the-rod carries a collar 279 which normally rests on the bottom wall of the casing and is secured to the rod by a setscrew 280. By means of the setscrew, which is made accessible by providing the casing with a removable front cover, not shown, the vertical position of the rod relative to the collar may be adjusted to determine the oil level at which the rod will be raised by the float. Within the casing 275 is mounted an electric switch 277 having a leaf spring operating lever 278 the free end of which presses against the upper side of the collar 279. This switch preferably is of the snap type designed to snap into open position when the spring lever 278 is flexed slightly upward by upward movement of the collar 279, and, when so opened, to snap into closed position when the lever is permitted to flex downward by slight downward movement of the collar. This switch is connected into the energizing circuit of the motor 207 of the oil burner so as to interrupt operation of said motor under low oil level conditions in the oil tank. The position of the rod 273 relative to the collar 279 is so adjusted that the switch will be opened just before the oil level falls far enough to begin to uncover the opening 282 (FIG. 3) to the oil tank of the suction pipe of the oil pump. The purpose of this is to prevent, under such low oil level conditions, the oil pump from drawing through its suction pipe :1 mixture of oil and oil vapors from the oil tank. Such mixture when forced by the pump through the oil atomizing nozzle of the oil burner will result in the nozzle discharging improperly atomized oil which will cause unburned oil droplets to strike the interior walls of the combustion chamber and result in the production of smoke and objectionable odors.

Mounted on the end plate 21 of the apparatus is shown a manually controlled switch 281 (FIG. 2) from which leads a cord 283 having the terminal plug 285 for plugging the oil burner into the power line for energizing the motor 207. This switch and float controlled switch 277 are connected in series into the energizing circuit for said motor.

As shown by FIGS. 2 and 7, and schematically indicated in FIG. 16, the oil pump 209 when in operation draws oil from the oil tank through a pipe 287 to an oil filter 289, and from the latter through a pipe connection 291 to the pump inlet connection 293. The pump discharges the oil under pressure through the pump outlet 1 connection 295 and hence through a pipe 297 to a T-fitting 299. From the T-fitting the oil is discharged through a pipe 300 bent to form a downwardly extending U-shaped bend 301, this pipe being connected at its end remote from the pump to the pipe 97 which supplies the oil spray nozzle 95. Also leading from the T-fitting 299 is a pipe 303 connected to the inlet of a solenoid operated valve 305, to the outlet of which valve is connected a pipe 307 leading to the oil tank. The solenoid of this valve is connected across the input terminals of the oil burner motor 207, the construction being such that the valve closes when the motor is energized and remains closed until the motor is deenergized, whereupon it opens and remains in that condition until the motor is again energized.

The oil pump preferably is of the type having built into it a spring pressed relief valve for by-passing oil from its discharge side back to the oil tank. Such valve is schematically indicated at 309 in FIG. 16 wherein it is shown as having its inlet connected by a pipe 311 to the outlet pipe 297 of the pump and its outlet connected by a pipe 313 to the oil tank. This valve is of the common type normally biased into closed position by an internal compression spring (not shown), the tension of which spring may be adjusted by a screw at the exterior of the pump, said screw being schematically indicated at 315 in FIG. 16. When the pressure of the oil at the pump outlet tends to exceed a predetermined value the valve 309 will open to relieve such pressure and bypass the excess oil back to the oil tank, in this way to cause the purnp to supply oil to the burner nozzle 95 at constant pressure. By adjusting the screw 315 the oil may be supplied the nozzle at different selected constant pressures for varying the amount of oil discharged through the nozzle. When the pump is placed out of operation the compression spring automatically closes the valve to hold it closed until the pump is again placed in operation to build up pressure at its discharge side. The pump, for example, may discharge oil at 150 pounds per square inch pressure and supply oil to the nozzle at 80 pounds per square inch pressure, and in such case the valve 309 will be adjusted to open at or just below -30 pounds per square inch pressure.

The pipe 303, 307 controlled by the solenoid valve 305 serves each time the burner is placed out of operation immediately to relieve the pressure of the oil in the pipe connections leading from the pump to the nozzle, and immediately to drain the portion of said pipe adjacent the nozzle. In absence of so relieving the oil pressure and draining the portion of the pipe adjacent the nozzle, then each time the burner is placed out of operation oil will continue to discharge from the nozzle until such pressure is relieved by such discharge and thereafter oil will drip irom the nozzle until the portions of the pipe adjacent the nozzle drain by such drip to below the level of the discharge orifice or orifices of the nozzle. Further, in absence of draining the oil, such heating of the oil remaining in the pipe as would occur by reason of the residual heat of the blast tube and combustion chamber and other burner pants would tend to expand the oil and cause it to drip from the nozzle. The oil so discharged through and dripping therein from the nozzle would contact the still heated parts of the apparatus and create odors much objectionable when the apparatus is in a confined space, and form a gas which would be likely to explode when the burner is again placed in operation. The drain and pressure relief afiorded by the pipe 303, 307 and solenoid valve 305, being of much larger capacity in such respects than the nozzle, will efiect-ively and immediately prevent all discharge and drip of oil from the nozzle when the burner is deenergized. As shown, the U-bend 301 in the oil supply pipe leading to the nozzle is positioned below the level of the nozzle so that expansion of the oil in the U-bend and the portion of the pipe between it and the pump caused by residual heat when the '10 operation of the burner is discontinued will not cause oil to be discharged through the nozzle.

The purpose of the U-bend 30-1 in the pipe connections leading from the oil pump to the oil spray nozzle is to form a trap for storing oil which is immediately supplied the nozzle upon the pump being placed in operation, thus to cause the flame immediately to be produced.

Further, in absence of the U-bend, then when the solenoid valve opens the entire system of piping leading from the spray nozzle through that valve to the oil tank will become filled with air drawn through the spray nozzle orifice or orifices into said system to replace the oil drained from it into the oil tank. The oil remaining as a film on the interior walls of this system will volatilize under the residual heat of the parts to form oil vapors which mix with such air, and further oil vapors or a mixture of the same with air may flow into the system from the space above the oil in the oil tank, which space is placed in communication with the atmosphere by the vent opening in the oil tank filling cap. In consequence, and in absence of the U-bend, when the pump is again placed in operation there will be forced through the spray nozzle ahead of the oil coming from the pump a combustible mixture of air and oil vapors which would be likely to explode, and again with resulting danger to the occupants of the space in which the apparatus is positioned and creation of a fire hazard. The U-bend when employed acts to minimize the amount of such combustible mixture in the piping system leading to the nozzle, and thus to reduce the possibility of such explosions. Still further, when the solenoid valve opens it is likely to drain oil from the interior of the pump or both the pump and its suction pipe 287, 291, particularly if the pump remains out of operation for a considerable period, and when the pump is placed again in operation it will discharge, for an instant of appreciable duration before the by-pass valve 309 opens to by-pass sufficient of such air back to the oil tank, a mixture of air and oil before it begins to supply only oil to the pipe 300 leading to the spray nozzle. In absence of the U-bend this mixture of air and oil will result in improperly atomized oil being initially discharged from the nozzle, resulting in delayed fuel ignition and in oil droplets being discharged into the combustion chamber, from which chamber such oil will leak through the perforations of its walls and ultimately volatilize and produce objectionable odors and form a gas which is liable to explode. When the U-bend is employed, however, the oil trapped in it will be forced ahead of such mixture of air and oil discharged by the pump to permit properly atomized oil to be immediately discharged from the nozzle so that fuel ignition will immediately occur.

Referring again to the schematic diagram shown by FIG. 16, one lead 317 of the cord or cable 283 leading from the plug 285 is shown as connected by a lead 319 to one terminal of the burner motor 207. The other lead 321 of the cord or cable is shown as connected to the manually controlled switch 281, which latter is connected in series by a lead 323 to the float controlled switch 277. From the float controlled switch a lead 325 extends to the other terminal of the motor, so that when the float controlled switch is closed and the operator closes the manually controlled switch the motor will be placed in operation to drive the oil pump and fan of the burner. The primary winding 327 of the ignition transformer 211 is shown as connected by leads 329 and 331 to the leads 325 and 319, respectively, so that simultaneously with the motor being energized the ignition transformer will be energized and a spark struck between the ignition electrodes 99 connected to the secondary winding 333 of the ignition transformer. The solenoid valve 305, as schematically shown, has an armature 335 and a cooperating solenoid winding 337, the terminals of the solenoid winding being connected by leads 339 and '341 to the energizing leads 319 and 325,-respectively,

for the motor, so that when the motor is energized and deenergized the solenoid coil-will be simultaneously energized and deenergized, respectively. The weight of the armature normally is effective to hold the valve 305 in open position when the solenoid coil is deenergized, and when the solenoid coil is energized it draws the armature upward to close the valve and maintains it closed for so long as the motor is energized.

It will be understood that within the scope of the appended claims wide deviations may be made from the a casing operatively having an open side, a horizontally disposed sheet metal combustion chamber in said casing having end Walls and a cylindrical lateral wall, means for discharging a mixture of fluid fuel and combustion air into said chamber for burning therein for heating at least its said lateral wall to incandescence, and reflector means in said casing at the exterior of said chamber presenting a reflecting surface for reflecting radiant heat emitted by the under portions of said cylindrical wall through said open side of said casing.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which there is also positioned Within the casing at the exterior of the combustion chamber reflector means presenting a reflecting surface for reflecting through the open side of the casing radiant heat emitted by the upper portions of the cylindrical wall of said chamber.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which there is also positioned within the casing at the exterior of the combustion chamber reflector means presenting a reflecting surface for reflecting through the open side of the casing radiant heat emitted by the upper portions of the cylindrical wall of said chamber, at least one of the reflector means defined by this claim and claim 1 being angularly adjustable for varying the angle to the horizontal at which it so reflects such radiant heat.

4. Apparatus for supplying radiant heat comprising a casing operatively having an open side, a horizontally disposed sheet metal combustion chamber in said casing having opposite end walls and a cylindrical lateral wall, means for discharging a mixture of fluid fuel and combustion air into said chamber for burning therein for heating its walls to incandescence, and reflectors in said cas ing at the exterior of said chamber presenting separate reflecting surfaces for reflecting through said open side of said casing and in the same general direction radiant heat emitted by said end walls and the under and upper portions of said cylindrical wall, respectively.

5. Apparatus for supplying radiant heat comprising a casing operatively having an open side, a horizontally disposed sheet metal combustion chamber in said casing having opposite end walls and a cylindrical lateral wall, means for discharging a mixture of fluid fuel and combustion air into said chamber for burning therein for heating its Walls to incandescence, and reflectors in said casing at the exterior of said chamber presenting separate reflecting surfaces for reflecting through said open side of said casing radiant heat emitted by said end walls and the under and upper portions of said cylindrical wall, respectively, at least one of said reflecting surfaces being angularly adjustable for varying the angle at which it so reflects such radiant heat.

6. Apparatus for supplying radiant heat comprising a casing operatively having opposite open lateral sides and a bottom wall constituted by a fuel oil tank, a horizontally disposed combustion chamber in said casing above said tank having end walls and a cylindrical lateral wall extending parallel to said open sides and the top of said tank, means for drawing fuel oil from said tank and discharging itin atomized state mixed with combustion air into said chamber for burning therein for heating the walls said cylindrical wall presenting a reflecting surface optically opposed to said wall for reflecting radiant heat emitted by such portions away from said tank and through the open sides of said casing.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the reflector means forms with the top of the fuel oil tank a conduit, and means for admitting atmospheric air to said conduit from the exterior of the casing and causing such air to flow through said conduit in contact with said top of said tank.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the reflector means forms with the top of the fuel oil tank a conduit, and means for admitting atmospheric air to said conduit from the exterior of the casing and causing such air to flow through said conduit in contact with said top of said tank, at least the cylindrical wall of the combustion chamber having perforations for discharging gaseous combustion products into said casing, and means for drawing such combustion products from said chamber and mixing them with the air discharged from said conduit.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the reflector means forms with the top of the fuel oil tank a conduit, means being provided for admitting atmospheric air to said conduit from the exterior of the casing, which latter has opposite end walls and an oil burner unit at the exterior of one of said walls for drawing the oil from the fuel tank, atomizing such oil and discharging it mixed with combustion air into the combustion chamber, at least the cylindrical wall of the chamber having perforations for discharge therefrom of gaseous combustion products 'into said casing, the other end wall of said casing having means for discharge through saidwall from the casing of such combustion products and of air from said conduit, said means comprising a fan for so discharging such products and air and projecting them as a mixture of the two away from said casing.

10. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the reflector means forms with the top of the fuel oil tank a conduit, means being provided for admitting atmospheric air to said conduit from the exterior of the casing, which latter has opposite end walls and an oil burner unit at the exterior of one of said walls for drawing the oil from the fuel tank, atomizing such oil and discharging it mixed with combustion air into the combustion chamber, at least the cylindrical wall of the chamber having perforations for discharge therefrom of gaseous combustion products into said casing, the other end wall of said casing having means for discharge through said wall from' the casing of such combustion products and of air from said conduit, said means comprising a fan for so discharging such products and air and projecting them as a mixture of the two away from said casing, the oil burner unit comprising an oil pump and an air fan, and mechanism having a single driving motor for operating said pump and fan of said unit and the first mentioned fan.

11. Oil burning apparatus for generating radiant heat comprising a casing having top, bottom and opposite end walls, and opposite operatively open sides, the bottom wall comprising the top of a horizontally extending fuel oil tank, a combustion chamber in said casing having horizontally extending lateral walls and end walls; an oil burner unit supported at the exterior of said casing at one of its end walls for supplying said chamber with a combustible mixture of oil from said tank and combustion air for burning therein for heating its walls to incandescence; reflectors in said casing between said chamber and substantially the entire area of that portion of the top of said tank which is opposed to said chamber, and between the end walls of said chamber and the adjacent end walls of said casing, which reflectors are so disposed as to reflect, laterally of said casing and through its open sides, radiant heat emitted by the walls of said chamber; said top wall of said tank and that wall of said casing which is ad acent said unit forming with the adjacent reflectors air conducting conduits; and means for causing a flow of atmospheric air from the exterior of said casing through said conduits for minimizing heating of the associated reflectors, the top wall of said tank, and said unit.

12. Oil burning apparatus for generating radiant heat comprising a casing having top, bottom and opposite end walls, and opposite operatively open sides, the bottom wall comprising the top of a horizontally extending fuel oil tank, a-combution chamber in said casing having horizontally extending lateral walls and end walls; an oil burner unit supported at the exterior of said casing at one of its end walls for supplying said chamber with a combustible mixture of oil from said tank and combustion air for burning therein for heating its walls to incandescence; reflectors in said casing between said chamber and substantially the entire area of that portion of the top of said tank which is opposed to said chamber, and between the end walls of said chamber and the adjacent end walls of said casing, which reflectors are so disposed as to reflect, laterally of said casing and through its open sides, radiant heat emitted by the walls of said chamber; said top wall of said tank and end walls of said casing forming with said reflectors a generally U-shaped air conducting conduit; and a fan for drawing atmospheric air from the exterior of said casing through said conduit for mizing heating of said reflectors, the top wall of said tank, and the end walls of said casing.

13. Oil burning apparatus for generating radiant heat and a hot gaseous medium comprising a casing having top, bottom and opposite end walls, and opposite operatively open sides, at least a substantial extent of the bottom wall being constituted by a horizontally extending fuel oil tank; a sheet metal combustion chamber in said casing having a lower wall portion opposed to said fuel oil tank and having end walls opposed to the end walls of said casing and also having provision for discharge of gaseous combustion products therefrom into said casing; an oil burner unit supported at the exterior of said casing at one of its end walls for supplying said chamber with a combustible mixture of oil from said tank and combustion air for burning therein for heating its walls to incandescence and for causing such discharge of such combustion products; reflectors in said casing between said lower wall portion of said chamber and substantially the entire area of that portion of the top wall of said tank which is opposed to such lower wall portion, and be tween the end walls of said chamber and the adjacent end walls of said casing, which reflectors are so disposed as to reflect, laterally of said casing and through its open sides, radiant heat emitted by said lower wall portion and said other walls of said chamber; said top wall of said tank and end walls of said casing forming with said reflectors a generally U-shaped air conducting conduit having a discharge end at the casing end wall remote from said unit and adjacent the level of the top of said chamber; a fan positioned adjacent said casing end wall remote from said unit; the casing end wall adjacent said fan being formed with means associated with that fan for causing the latter to draw air from the discharge end of said conduit and draw gaseous combustion products from said casing and project them away from said casing as a mixture of the two and as a blast of heated gaseous medium, and means for admitting atmospheric air from the exterior of said casing to said conduit for causing said fan to draw such air through said conduit whereby to produce said blast and minimize heating of said reflectors, said fuel oil tank, and said unit.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 in which the oil burner unit comprises an air fan and an oil pump for forming the combustible mixture, and in which there is provided a single electric motor for driving said fan and pump and the fan at that end of the casing which is remote from said unit.

15. Oil burning apparatus according to claim 13 in which that leg of the U-shaped conduit which is adjacent 14 the oil burner unit also has an open end adjacent the top level of the combustion chamber, the means for admitting atmospheric air from the exterior of the casing to said conduit communicating therewith adjacent the lower end of said leg for causing the fan also to draw atmospheric air up said leg and discharge it from its open end into said casing for mixture with the gaseous combustion products being drawn by that fan to that end of said casing which is remote from said unit.

16. Apparatus according to claim 13 in which there also are positioned reflectors in the casing between the top of the combustion chamber and top wall of said casing for also reflecting from said casing and through the screens radiant heat emitted by the upper part of the cylindrical wall of said chamber.

17. Apparatus according to claim 13 in which there also are positioned reflectors in the casing between the top of the combustion chamber and top wall of said casing for also reflecting from said casing and through the screens radiant heat emitted by the upper part of the cylindrical wall of said chamber, said reflectors being adjustable for varying the angle to the horizontal at which such heat is reflected by them.

18. Apparatus according to claim 13 in which the oil burner unit comprises an air fan and an oil pump and an electric motor for driving said fan and pump, a rotary shaft for driving the fan at the end of the casing remote from said unit and extending from said fan to said unit, and means at said unit connecting said shaft to said motor for rotating said shaft.

19'. Apparatus according to claim 13 in which the oil burner unit comprises an air fan and an oil pump and an electric motor for driving said fan and pump, a rotary shaft for driving the fan at the end of the casing remote from said unit and extending through the casing over the cylindrical wall of the combustion chamber from said fan to said unit, means at said unit connecting said shaft to said motor for rotating said shaft, and a shield between said shaft and chamber for protecting said shaft from heat radiated upwardly from said wall of said chamber.

20. Apparatus for supplying radiant heat comprising a casing operatively having an open side and having a supporting frame, an elongate horizontally disposed combustion chamber supported within said casing, said chamber having a generally cylindrical multi-perforate sheet metal lateral wall and sheet metal end walls, one end wall having an opening which receives tubular means for discharging into said chamber a mixture of fuel and combustion air for burning therein for heating at least said lateral wall to incandescence, the perforations of said lateral wall affording substantially sole means for discharging gaseous combustion products from the chamber, reflector means in the casing at the exterior of said chamber and operatively presenting a reflecting surface extending longitudinally along substantially the length of said chamber and having surface increments in optically inclined relation to said lateral wall thereof for projecting laterally away from said apparatus through said open casing side and along substantially the entire longitudinal extent of said chamber radiant heat emitted by that substantially full-length longitudinal portion of said chamber lateral wall to which said surface increments are optically inclined, and tubular means carried by the casing externally of the combustion chamber and adjacent the other end wall thereof and opening outwardly through said casing and having fan means for projecting a stream of hot gaseous medium from the apparatus.

21. Apparatus for supplying radiant heat comprising a casing operatively having an open side, a horizontally disposed sheet metal combustion chamber in said casing having end walls and a cylindrical lateral wall, means for discharging a mixture of fluid fuel and combustion air into said chamber for burning therein for heating at least its said lateral wall to incandescence, and reflector means in said casing at the exterior of said chamber presenting 15 a reflecting surface for reflecting radiant heat emitted by 2,522,935 the upper portions of said cylindrical wall through said 2,669,297 open side of said casing. 2,669,443 2,685,919 References Cited in the file of this patent 5 2 741 301 UNITED STATES PATENTS 734,346 Mink July 21, 1903 85 555 1,760,382 Teesdale May 27, 1930 1,914,541 157,111

Teesdale June 20, 1933 10 Fan-all Sept. 19, 1959 Sherman Feb. 16, 1954 Sherman Feb. 16, 1954 Plass et a1 Aug. 10, 1954 Lines Apr. 10, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS l France Sept. 19, 1940 Switzerland Nov. 16, 1932 

